It took Tor Ivar Vage just three weeks to decide that Singapore would be the next frontier for his successful startup InfoGym. In the first of three blog posts, here’s how the TINC Asia program run by JFDI and Innovation Norway opened up a new future.
What a first week!
Monday began with an introduction to the program, as well as a tour of the area. The premises are suitable for start-up businesses in technology. Here, we’ve found everything from investors to people who build robots. It’s a stimulating environment to work in.
The premises are cool, like Google. We have billiards, table tennis and soccer, to name a few. There is also a barista who makes free coffee all day!
Tuesday morning we were picked up at the apartments, and driven to Innovation Norway’s offices at Raffles Quay. Together with the Norwegian embassy, their offices are on the 40th floor. We ate breakfast together with representatives from both Innovation Norway and the Norwegian Embassy.
The gang outside the entrance to the embassy
On Wednesday we started with “pitch” and presentation training. JFDI expert Peter Browne started by challenging us to make a 60-second presentation of our companies, while he filmed it. This quickly became an embarrassing affair!
Peter has previously worked as an actor in both theater, film and television. In just two days, he would make us ready to present ourselves and our companies for a larger number of people on an informal arrangement.
“In just 2 days, JFDI Comms Coach Peter Browne taught us so much about pitching content, platform and delivery.”
Friday came, and the audience began to fill up the room. Everyone’s getting nervous. Not only do we have to introduce ourselves to strangers, we have do it in English. I would be lying if didn’t say I was stressed, but most of all, I was looking forward to going out there to see what I do and what I can.
After two days with Peter, I have learned so much about how to sell my story. I learned about content, platforms and delivery. Actually it was incredibly difficult, but so easy after working with Peter.
So Peter, thank you very much for your help, and thank you for making us better presenters!
JFDI Open House – Norwegian Night
This first week has been marked by presentation training and introductions to the Asian market. Next week, we will make a 3-5 minute pitch during a closed event. It will be a more formal setting, with potential customers, partners and investors. At the end of next week, we will be visiting Redmart.com, a company that offers groceries online. I’m really looking forward to hearing more about how they work and how they look at the market.
This post appeared first on InfoGym-Blogg. If you’d like to read on what happens on the second week of TINC Asia, here’s Part 2.
Tinc Asia is a 3-week technology incubator program in Singapore organized by Innovation Norway and JFDI.Asia. The program aims to give Norwegian companies greater insight and knowledge of the Asian business culture, preferences and expectations, to enable faster growth in the region, with less risk.